Voices and Reflections
Stories, Ideas, and Perspectives
This section brings together writing from Inclusion Seekers and our partners on community life, disability, social isolation, and the relationships that shape stronger communities.
Alongside stories from local projects and learning experiences, we publish essays, reflections, and commentary from contributors and partner publications in the U.S. and internationally.
The goal is simple: to share practical ideas, real experiences, and broader conversations about connection, participation, and everyday community life
Find the stories that matter most to you. Search our blog.
Tim Vogt has spent his whole career providing support for people with disability labels. He thrived as the Executive Director of a legacy organization called Starfire in Cincinnati. Their work was highly regarded, but Tim began to wonder if it was actually delivering a full life to all the people being supported. His answer was deeply distressing, so he decided to transform the organization to do whatever would be needed to give people full lives in the community. This book is the story of that remarkable transition – the struggles, the complexity, and the emerging results. It is a leading-edge example of what can be done to reform and refresh hundreds of organizations so all of us can be full citizens together.
The Worth of Small Things
We sat in our small group, listening. The struggle she described was very different than the reflections others had shared around making introductions
Attention Seeking
For six months in 2019, Starfire’s team facilitated learning session with another Ohio organization.
It Is Not The End, It’s The Journey That Matters
For the past year and a half, I have been looking at this beautiful illustration of a plan or “PATH” for Grace.
Building the Muscle for Community | with Ashley Hart
This episode of the podcast, we talk with Ashley about what it looks like to move - after you’ve made the effort to build community in your neighborhood.
7 Common Investments to Make in 2020
Warren Buffet released this annual letter this week – the Oracle from Omaha’s annual stakeholder letter.
et tu, Vanier?
This weekend, multiple news outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, the BBC, and Catholic Telegraph report
In Support of Dissent
The culture of power-over people with developmental disabilities is stubborn. Admonitions to respect the right to choice and dignity of risk are seldom sufficient to relax its grip.
What We Don’t Do as a Non-Profit: Or Why Traditional “Volunteer” Programs Have Only Driven Us Further Apart
Thanks for your interest in Starfire! We are always grateful when ordinary citizens such as yourself wants to find a meaningful way to get involved.
From Caregiving to Connecting | with Carole Workman and Katie Anderson
The dynamic between paid staff and a person with disabilities can be tenuous. When not taken seriously people with
